Scientists have confirmed that PFAS is in the drinking water of more than six million U.S. residents, and that PFAS poses serious threats to our health – it’s linked to reproductive cancers, kidney disorders and more. The more we learn about this toxic water crisis, the more we are alarmed by the industry greed that created this problem and the lack of protections for affected residents — states aren’t even required to test for it.

But, we are also more and more inspired by the work of incredible leaders who are fighting for our basic human right to clean, safe water. Learn more about their stories:

Kristen Mello, Westfield, MAKristen is a trained chemist who started organizing when she got a notice in the mail that PFAS had been found in her water. Kristen co-founded Westfield Residents Advocating For Themselves (WRAFT), collecting nearly 1,000 signatures and building support for blood testing and health monitoring, along with working to make the polluters responsible bear the costs of cleaning up the contaminated wells. Thanks to her persistent organizing, earlier this week Kristen was invited to meet with Senator Elizabeth Warren’s staff to see how the Senator can help accomplish these goals.

Laurene Allen, Merrimack, NHLaurene’s family has a history of autoimmune diseases associated with PFAS, which were found in her town’s drinking water. She organized Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water and went door to door to survey her neighbors. She found that approximately 400 out of 500 people she met had diagnoses associated with the PFAS chemicals. The group went on to engage with state officials, scientists, and universities to advocate for an official health study and biomonitoring while they work to hold the polluters accountable for the contamination.

Andrea Amico, Portsmouth, NHAndrea is one of the mothers who founded Testing for Pease after PFAS water contamination was found on the former Pease Air Force Base where her husband worked and her children attended daycare. As one of the first community groups to take action on PFAS contamination in the country, Testing for Pease members have become national leaders. Andrea and Testing for Pease have worked closely with the NH Congressional Delegation to get $7 million appropriated for a first-of-its-kind, multi-site health study to help give communities impacted by contamination answers to their health-related questions and concerns.

We have worked with these leaders and many others to form the National PFAS Contamination Coalition, connecting community groups across the country to share information, stories and strategies and build a bigger movement for change.

Will you join us in raising awareness about PFAS? Share our video on Facebook. We need to know what we’re facing to take action. The more we know, the stronger we are.